Health and Safety

CB Hounslow United FC has a duty to ensure that there is a safe environment for the players to train and play.

Outdoors:
Before training the coach should just walk over the area where the players will be training to check for broken glass, dogs’ dirt, pot holes, hollows, etc. By walking the area he can quickly assess if it is safe for players to train.

He/She will identify areas where players should not go.
If training or playing near water then an adult should be sent at all times to retrieve the ball from the water. Where the ball is inaccessible then leave it. Whilst the price of a ball may be expensive it certainly isn’t worth risking a life. You have no way of knowing the depth or how strong the currents may be.

Indoors:
Again the coach should make himself familiar with the surroundings.

He/She should identify where players should not stand or sit e.g. behind doors or on window ledges. Players should not sit on top of the wall bars when games are going on below. Should the ball hit them they could lose balance and fall.

Remember in the eyes of the law the Manager/Coach is responsible for the safety of the players.

It is advisable for the coach to jot down the hazards he has identified and the measures he has taken to reduce the risk. Any identified hazards must be reported to the owner of the facility.

As an example:

This is not a comprehensive list but gives an idea of what to look for.

This in effect is a Risk Assessment and as such can be dated and signed by the coach. This will be very useful should an accident occur. Whilst you will be covered by Liability Insurance you must demonstrate that every precaution was taken to prevent an accident from happening.

AT ALL CB HOUNSLOW UNITEDS CLUB ACTIVITIES THERE MUST BE TWO ADULTS or COACHES PRESENT AT ALL TIMES.

ONE OF THESE PERSONS/ADULTS MUST BE A QUALIFIED FIRST AIDER AND THERE MUST BE A FIRST AID KIT AVAILABLE

A MOBILE PHONE IS ALSO VERY USEFUL IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

To view or download the CB Hounslow United FC Health & Safety Policy, Please click on the following link:
Health & Safety Policy

Accident Reporting
As soon as possible after the incident and after the injured person has been attended to an Accident/Incident Report should be completed. This may have to be carried out by a committee member who was not present if the Coach or Official in attendance at the time is too distressed. It is however best if completed by the club official present at the time of the incident.

The most important reason for making such a report is that it helps the subsequent investigation and can also help prevent a similar occurrence from happening.

Copies of the accident report should be sent to the Club Secretary or Youth Secretary of the so that they can collate all accidents and if necessary circulate warnings to clubs.

To view or download the CB Hounslow United FC Incident Reporting Guidelines, Please click on the following link:
Incident Reporting Guidelines

To view or download the CB Hounslow United FC Incident Report Form, Please click on the following link:
Incident Report Form

Mobile Goal Posts
CB Hounslow United FC should make the people responsible for erecting mobile goals familiar with the Mobile Goal Post Safety Code. Goal posts should be checked on a regular basis and a record kept of the check and it’s results.

GOALPOSTS SHOULD ONLY BE ERECTED BY RESPONSIBLE ADULTS
Goalnets
Goalnets must be of the recommended gauge and mesh size. Thin filament netting can cause serious cuts and wide mesh can lead to tripping and young children can get their heads through with consequent dangers.

Adults should put goal nets in place. Use steps to hook on to cross bar. Velcro strips are ideal for securing them to the posts and bars. The use of sticky tape should be avoided as it can remove the paint from the goalpost.

To download a Goal Post Safety leaflet, please click on the following link:

Goal Post Safety